Addiction to opiates and benzodiasepine drugs such as Vicodin, Oxycontin, Valium and Xanax is a major problem in this country, and addicts face a severe challenge in recovery.

Aside from rehabilitation centers, which may require the patient to miss as much as three months of work, the medical community offers few options. Many addicts reject treatment methods for fear of removal from society for long periods of time and the pain and discomfort of withdrawal symptoms.

Dr. Vadim Gurvits of Premier Urgent Care and Family Care in Menifee is the only certified physician in the area who treats those addicted to these drugs in an outpatient situation, using Suboxone therapy.

Suboxone is an FDA-approved drug used to take away withdrawals and thoughts of continued use of opiates and benzo substances. Dr. Gurvits prescribes this to patients, supervises their progress through continued office visits and refers them to group therapy meetings that match their comfort level.

In this way, addicts are able to get off the dangerous drugs without spending months in a rehab center on a full-time basis.

"Suboxone treatment clears up the mind so one can focus more clearly," Dr. Gurvits said. "I can help patients avoid withdrawals and I work closely with psychosocial support providers to keep them from going back on the dangerous drugs.

"If an addict tries to stop on their own, they go through withdrawals. They can have stomach cramps, diarrhea, panic, insomnia. They feel like crawling out of their skin. They're unable to focus on work. And most people aren't able to take three months off work to lock themselves in a room during rehabilitation."

According to Dr. Gurvits, a patient must be able to focus to get the most out of any type of therapy. He helps them begin this process with Suboxone, then refers them to a suitable rehabilitation program for ongoing support. His program is completely confidential.